While the Heat were defeating the 76ers, on the other side, the Spurs and the Trail Blazers were also already into the second half.
How was the game going?
There wasn't much suspense there either. In the first half, as "GDP," the Spurs' three-headed carriage, all hit their stride, the Spurs, who held home-court advantage, had already built a 17-point lead over the Trail Blazers by halftime alone, all but sealing the win.
When the second half began, under the roaring momentum of the Spurs' home court, the Trail Blazers' offense kept running into trouble. They fell back step by step until finally... they collapsed completely.
By the end of the third quarter, the Trail Blazers were already down by 24 points.
They were doomed to lose tonight. Knowing that, the Trail Blazers' head coach essentially gave up on the final quarter and protected his starters.
They would wait until they returned home to battle the Spurs again.
With that, the entire fourth quarter became garbage time and passed quickly. In the end, the Spurs slaughtered the Trail Blazers by a 17-point margin.
That also tied the series at 1-1.
Immediately afterward... in the game between the Lakers and the Nuggets, Kobe was scorching hot, pouring in 37 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists through three quarters.
The Nuggets were also down by more than 20 points.
Just like the Spurs, the Lakers clocked out after three quarters, cruising past the Nuggets, who were without "Melo" Anthony, and taking one game back.
After the game.
Inside the broadcast studio.
After watching the game, Mike Breen said, "See? This is the playoffs. This is the stage where the strong rule. Teams with real strength are still more reliable.
"The Heat, Spurs, and Lakers all clocked out in three quarters. The Mavericks dominated the whole way, and the Bulls won easily too.
"Of course, all of this still comes down to the performances of each team's core, boss, and leader. It comes down to the added value of a star player's individual ability."
"Yes."
Van Gundy nodded in agreement. "Aside from those unexpected eight major upsets in Game 1, the poise of the strong teams has now fully shown itself.
"This is what makes the games exciting.
"These are also the matchups fans want to see.
"I know everyone must still have questions, but let's hold off for a moment and turn our attention first to the players at TD Garden.
"The matchup between the Celtics and the Knicks has also reached the final quarter."
As Van Gundy spoke, the director cut the camera to the Celtics' home court.
At this moment, there were 6 minutes and 13 seconds left in the final quarter.
Both teams' starters returned for the final battle. However... the Knicks, trailing by 11 points, were clearly at a disadvantage.
Anthony and Stoudemire needed to step up and save the team.
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
Anthony's jumpers and Stoudemire's attacks on the rim were all going in. Their fierce offense fully displayed the level of two All-Star starters.
But on the Celtics' side, Pierce's isolation scoring, Garnett's "iron-blooded mid-range jumper," and Ray Allen's outside threes were all completely on point.
Add in Rondo's passing ability, and the Celtics' offense was not weaker than the Knicks' at all. In fact... it was even a little stronger.
That's right.
Anthony and Stoudemire could indeed score, but they seemed to only know how to score, not how to help the team win.
So even though Anthony and Stoudemire both scored 30-plus in this game, the Celtics still won by a commanding 11-point margin.
They took the game with ease.
Inside the studio.
After the game, Van Gundy said, "With the Knicks losing, all the Game 2 matchups in the first round have now ended. At the moment, aside from the Suns and the Magic, who are both trailing their opponents 0-2,
"all the other series are tied 1-1.
"At the same time... aside from the Suns, every powerful team struck back hard in Game 2, showing the poise of a strong team with overwhelming wins.
"So there must be one question many fans care about. After losing two straight at home, do the Suns still have a chance to win this series?!
"Will they really be upset by the No. 8 seed?!
"As for that, I can say with certainty that they will win the series. The Grizzlies absolutely will not pull off a No. 8 seed upset miracle."
"That's right."
Mike Breen responded and took over. "As everyone has seen, strong teams are still strong teams. Even in the playoffs, they can still clock out in three quarters, and the Suns are also a strong team.
"It's just that they have several rookies, so they need some time to adjust to the defensive intensity and rhythm of the playoffs.
"I believe, and firmly believe... that starting from the next game, they will definitely show the ability of a strong team, the ability of the league's number one team."
Buzz!
Before this, some fans might still have been hesitating, and some might have been disappointed in the Suns. But after seeing teams like the Heat, Lakers, and Spurs lose one game first, then still knock their opponents down in three quarters, the fans undoubtedly regained their trust in the Suns.
They trusted that once the Suns adapted to the playoff stage, they would completely crush the Grizzlies.
"Exactly!"
"I've always believed in the Suns, believed in the biggest dark horse team of the season, and believed that the 'Monster Rookie' will definitely lead the team forward."
"Looking at rookie seasons, Blake Su is even better than Jordan. He'll definitely achieve even greater things. Go Suns!"
"They've definitely adapted already!"
"Uh... I actually hope Blake Su can play a little more proactively, a little more forcefully, and a little more aggressively."
"..."
Fans completely trusted Blake Su and believed in the Suns.
Even though the Suns were now down 0-2 with two road games coming up, fans still believed in them just as strongly as before.
Adidas was not worried at all either.
They believed that with Blake Su there, the Suns would definitely take the first round, so they continued working around the clock to produce the "Blake Su Generation."
Manager Wagner was also consulting with the sales department to plan the most suitable presale time.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
...
Two days later.
7:00 p.m.
FedExForum.
In one hour, the Grizzlies and the Suns would face off here in Game 3 of the first round.
This was the Grizzlies' home court. One hour before tip-off, the arena was already packed. Holding two wins in hand, the Grizzlies had their home fans buzzing with excitement.
Tonight, they were here to watch the Grizzlies beat the Suns and seize match point. Some Grizzlies fans were even already ready to enjoy the thrill of a No. 8 seed upset.
At the same time, returning home with two straight wins and enjoying every off-court advantage, Grizzlies player Randolph even declared war in his pregame interview:
"We're already ready for a No. 8 seed upset. I hope those young Suns rookies don't get swept!!!"
Buzz!
As soon as those words came out, the atmosphere at the home court burned even hotter. Without a doubt, before the game had even started, it was already thick with tension.
Nash, who was interviewed afterward, responded, "Pressure is motivation. We're definitely taking this one tonight. There's no reason to lose!!!"
A direct response.
The fans had not lost faith, so how could the Suns team lose confidence?
Needle against wheat awn.
Game 3 of the first round, the battle for match point. The war... was about to erupt!